PeDRA Pearls

In this episode of PeDRA Pearls , PeDRA Fellow Hannah Chang speaks with Dr. Milie Fang, a pediatric dermatology fellow at Seattle Children’s Hospital, about her journey into pediatric dermatology. Dr. Fang reflects on how her personal experience with eczema sparked her interest in the field, her evolving research focus, and the mentorship and community she’s found through PeDRA. They also discuss...

Irene Lara-Corrales, MD is an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Toronto and a pediatric dermatologist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Canada. She knew early on that pediatric dermatology was her calling, and her dedication to advancing care for children with complex skin diseases deepened after caring for an infant with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) duri...

At the time of this interview in 2021, Dr. Carrie Coughlin was an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She was also the Chair of the PeDRA Outcomes Committee, a member of the Meetings and Studies Committees, and led the Skin Tumors and Reactions to Cancer Therapies (STARC) Focused Study Group. Since then, she has become an Associate Professor...

Colleen Cotton, MD is a Pediatric Dermatologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. Dr. Cotton joined PeDRA as a research fellow in 2013 and was one of the first PeDRA Fellows. She now serves on PeDRA's Early Investigator and Meetings Committees, as well as a participant in PeDRA’s Mentorship Program as both a mentor and mente...

This is part three—and the final installment—of our series on complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric dermatology. In this episode, we turn our focus to the future, examining key research gaps, promising areas for investigation, and opportunities for collaboration. Dr. Peter Lio and Dr. Larry Eichenfield share their perspectives on where integrative approaches may intersect with advanc...

This is part two of our conversation on complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric dermatology. While these approaches may offer benefits, they can also carry risks—especially when misinformation spreads quickly online. In this episode, Dr. Peter Lio and Dr. Larry Eichenfield explore how pediatric dermatologists can assess safety, address popular but unproven therapies, and support famili...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s increasingly shaping conversations in pediatric dermatology clinics: complementary and alternative therapies. Families are asking about everything from dietary changes to topical botanicals—and clinicians are navigating how to respond with empathy, evidence, and safety in mind. Joined by Dr. Peter Lio and Dr. Larry Eichenfield, we’ll explore why...

In this special 2025 Year in Review episode of PeDRA Pearls , host Jenn Dawson is joined by PeDRA Executive Director Mike Siegel for a wide-ranging and reflective conversation on the year behind—and what lies ahead for pediatric dermatology research. Together, they explore how the PeDRA community navigated uncertainty in the broader research landscape while continuing to make meaningful progress a...

In this episode, Dr. Pope shares her journey into pediatric dermatology, the surprising role mentorship played in shaping her academic career, and how her clinical passions grew into a rich and varied research portfolio spanning rare diseases, clinical trials, guidelines, and collaborative multicenter work. We also dive into her vision for PeDRA’s future, the evolving landscape of research, and th...

Sherry Baluch brings a unique blend of clinical and technical experience to PeDRA. She attended medical school before earning a Master’s in Computer Science and transitioning into healthcare technology. In a previous role as a Technical Project Manager, she led strategic modernization initiatives to improve lab operations and data systems. Sherry is passionate about supporting PeDRA’s mission to a...

In this episode, nurse practitioner Nichole Halliburton from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital shares practical, real-world guidance on managing epidermolysis bullosa (EB). She breaks down EB subtypes, key stages of wound healing, and everyday challenges patients and caregivers face. Nichole offers actionable strategies for bathing, blister care, dressing changes, and the use of birch triterpenes in...

In this episode of PeDRA Pearls , we sit down with Dr. Marcia Hogeling, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Residency Program Director at UCLA. Dr. Hogeling shares her inspiring journey from pediatrics to pediatric dermatology, reflecting on the mentors who shaped her career and the importance of guiding the next generation of clinicians and researchers. She also discusses her diverse research...

In this third and final episode, we're diving deep into how emerging insights about the microbiome are shaping the way clinicians counsel families and care for pediatric patients. Dr. Shoch and Dr. Castelo-Soccio share how understanding the microbiome has changed their clinical practice, from their approach to bathing routines and yeast overgrowth to dietary counseling and the cautious use of prob...

In this second episode, we discuss how infant microbiomes develop and what factors shape them, and how early life disruptions may increase the risk of disease. The conversation also touches on the hygiene and biodiversity hypothesis, the role of dysbiosis in conditions like atopic dermatitis, and the ongoing challenge of teasing apart whether microbiome shifts are causes or markers of disease. Spe...

November is Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month, and we’re revisiting an episode from our archives. Tune in for an engaging and informative conversation about the burden and stigma surrounding pediatric hyperhidrosis. Executive Director and Founding Member Lisa Pieretti eloquently discusses the gaps in pediatric hyperhidrosis research and emphasizes the importance of education and awareness. In the seco...

The gut and skin microbiomes are an area that is rapidly evolving and holds promise for reshaping our understanding of, prevention, and treatment of pediatric skin disease. This friendly discussion, spanning three episodes, will explore emerging research, theories on microbiome–immune interactions, and what pediatric dermatologists should know about the skin–gut connection. Special thanks to Incyt...

We're reaching all the way back into our 2020 archives to bring you a Getting to Know You with Dr. Heather Brandling-Bennett. Listen as she shares her journey into pediatric dermatology, the “aha” moments that shaped her career, and how collaboration through PeDRA continues to drive innovation in research. She offers inspiring advice for early investigators about finding passion, embracing balance...

Hosted in partnership with Chiesi, Dr. Joyce Teng and Dr. Emily Gorell share their real-world clinical experiences, highlighting how birch triterpenes may work to accelerate wound healing, reduce inflammation, and potentially improve quality of life for patients living with dystrophic and junctional epidermolysis bullosa (EB). The program also touches on the importance of wound preparation, combin...

PeDRA Conference Survey Conference Video Membership Renewal Grants Mentor Application

The PeDRA Annual Conference is just days away, and excitement is building! In this special episode of PeDRA Pearls , host Jenn Dawson sits down with Executive Director Mike Siegel, PhD to talk about what attendees can expect in Minneapolis. From this year’s theme of building consensus to advance pediatric dermatology research to highlights like Focused Study Groups, the NextGen Research Forum, the...

In this episode of PeDRA Pearls, host Hannah Chang sits down with Dr. Lisa Arkin, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of Pediatric Dermatology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. They discuss the unique opportunities offered through UW’s pediatric dermatology fellowship, the importance of customizable training experiences, and the evolving research landscape in areas such as autoin...

In this episode, we explore the intersection of storytelling and science. Join us as we dive into Eva’s Itchy Adventure , a children’s book created to help kids living with eczema better understand and manage their condition. We’ll discuss the concept of bibliotherapy—using books as a therapeutic tool—and how it can improve outcomes by reducing anxiety, empowering patients, and strengthening conne...

In episode 21, PeDRA Pub Club host Hannah Chang and guest panelists, Dawn Eichenfield, MD, PhD, and Jinia El-Feghaly, MD, discuss the article " An international multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 203 patients with pediatric androgenetic alopecia “   published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2025. Updates: PeDRA Annual Conference Dash for Discovery PeDRA Grant...

In episode twenty, PeDRA Pub Club host Hannah Chang and guest panelists, Dawn Eichenfield, MD, PhD, and Jinia El-Feghaly, MD discuss the article The Association of Psoriasis and Bacterial Infections in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Review ,  published in Pediatric Dermatology in 2025. PeDRA Annual Conference

PeDRA Grants PeDRA Conference Dash for Discovery OX 40 Innovative Insights Getting to Know Your Patients PeDRA Pub Club Episode 19 NIAMS RFI